System and method of treatment for correcting tooth malocclusions

ABSTRACT

The method and system provides a variable platform for Virtual Reality Orthodontics (VRO), which can be provided virtually to a patient without the patient having to be examined, in-person, by a dentist or orthodontist. Treatment can be rendered that includes clear aligner therapy, wire therapy or a hybrid/combo treatment involving both to treat patients&#39; malocclusions in a virtual setting as opposed to the patients being treated in traditional and conventional orthodontic care facilities, requiring less in-office visits by the patients. The method and system utilizes and embraces dental professionals for patient care to assist licensed dental professionals to provide treatment while under the scrutiny of orthodontists. Patient care and progress can be monitored with the assistance of artificial intelligence and by review of dental professionals.

TECHNICAL AREA

The method and system relate generally to the treatment of toothmalocclusions and more specifically to methods and systems that use anintegrated platform for Virtual Reality Orthodontics (VRO) to provideclear aligner therapy, wire therapy, or a hybrid/combination treatmentinvolving both therapies to treat patients' tooth malocclusions.

BACKGROUND

Patients with correctable minor as well as major tooth malocclusionsoften do not have easy access to the necessary dental care or must visitseveral different dental professionals for diagnosis and treatment, forexample, dentists and orthodontists. Even if available, these dentalprofessionals may be physically separate from each other and unaware ofeach other. During a visit, each dental professional records informationabout the patient's condition in his or her own local patient records.These records are often stored locally on a computer in a non-standardformat selected by whichever hardware or software platform is in use inthe dental professional's local office. As a result, it is difficult fordental professionals to share updated information about a patient'scondition with other dental professionals using current patientmanagement systems, due to the above challenges. This can lead toproblems with being able to accurately diagnose and treat a patient'stooth position malocclusions. In addition, unfortunately, a qualifieddental professional may not be conveniently, physically located in andnot able to serve every area in the country. As a result, theavailability of a specific level of needed dental care in certain areasof the country can be limited.

Regardless, generally, a patient's dentist first identifies the patientas having a tooth malocclusion. The dentist may or may not provideorthodontics care, and if not offering orthodontics care the dentistwill refer the patient to a licensed orthodontist for their care. Inaddition, the timely sharing and updating of medical records between thedentist and the patient's orthodontist is vital for consistent, qualitycare, and to provide both the dentist and the orthodontist with thepatient's up to date medical records. Unfortunately, the normal physicalseparation between the patient's dentist and orthodontist can lead toincomplete records regarding the patient's current dental care/statusbecause records are not timely or readily-shared or cannot beconsolidated due to format inconsistencies between the dentist's and theorthodontist's patient record keeping systems. Therefore, a method andsystem is needed to permit the sharing of dental information betweenvarious dental professionals and to enable the referral, onboarding,diagnosis and treatment of patient with tooth malocclusions, regardlessof the location of the patient.

SUMMARY

To address the above-described problem, embodiments of the subjectnetwork-based patient tooth malocclusion diagnosis and treatment methodand system were developed to collect, convert, consolidate, and sharepatient information from various dental professionals and dental serviceand appliance providers in at least one standardized format, store it innetwork-based storage devices, and provide access to the dentalprofessionals and/or patients to the patient information. This willenable accurate diagnosis and treatment of each patient's unique andspecific malocclusion condition. The method and system provides agraphical user interface (GUI) through a content server platform, whichcan be hardware or a combination of both hardware and software and canbe integrated with or independent from the content server platform. Auser, for example, but not limited to, a dental professional, such as adentist, orthodontist, and various dental service providers, is given auser-specific level of access to the platform through the GUI to enter,view or update information about a patient's medical condition using theuser's own local device (e.g., but not limited to, a personal computer,laptop, tablet, or other wireless handheld device) based on the user'sspecific level of access. The access can either be from a locallocation, that is, in an adjacent or close physical location, or aremote location, that is, in a different, distant physical location tothe platform. When the user wants to update the patient's records, theuser can input the update via the user's chosen device directly into theplatform. Whenever the patient information is updated, it is stored in acollection of patient medical records on one or more of thenetwork-based storage devices. After the updated information about thepatient's condition has been stored in the collection of patient medicalrecords, the content server, which is connected to the network-basedstorage devices, immediately generates a message containing either anotice about or the actual updated information about the patient'scondition. This message is selectively transmitted over the computernetwork to all dental professionals, dental service, and applianceproviders that have access to and need to know the patient's updatedinformation via the platform. This ensures that each of the necessarydental professionals and dental service and appliance providers isalways provided immediate notice and access to changes so they canreadily adapt their own medical diagnostic and treatment strategy inaccordance with other providers' actions. The message can be in the formof an email message, text message, or other type of message known in theart. Regardless, of whether the dental professional or dental serviceand appliance providers notice or read the message, the updatedinformation is already stored in the collection of patient medicalrecords, so it is available to all authorized users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the presently disclosedsubject matter are described with reference to the following figures,wherein like reference numerals and/or indicia refer to like partsthroughout the various views unless otherwise precisely specified.

FIG. 1 is a block system diagram showing a configuration of a VirtualReality Orthodontics (VRO) system illustrating the system components,users, and communication paths there between, in accordance with variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 . is a flow diagram of an overview of a patient onboardingprocess for a method of diagnosing and treating a patient with acorrectable tooth malocclusion, in accordance with various embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an overview of a teeth aligner process foruse in the method of diagnosing and treating the patient with thecorrectable tooth malocclusion, in accordance with various embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a system flow diagram of the patient interaction, i.e.,experience, with the VRO system and method, in accordance with variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram of a patient diagnostic and treatmentprocess, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of agraphical user interface (GUI) screen for a scan center doctor in avirtual reality orthodontics (VRO) platform system for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen for a referring doctor from the VRO platform for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen for a managing VRO doctor from the VRO platform for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen for a patient from the VRO platform for registering, beingdiagnosed, provided and treated with clear aligners, and monitoredduring the treatment with the clear aligners to correct the patient'tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram that shows the types of patientinformation that, for example, but is not limited to what, a doctor, forexample, a scan center doctor can upload into the integrated patientplatform, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a flow chart diagram of a patient diagnostic andtreatment method 1100, in accordance with various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter pertains to integrated systemsand methods for the diagnosis of a patient's correctable tooth positionmalocclusions, which is also referred to as a patient's correctabletooth position abnormalities, by a first dental professional based on aphysical exam or a virtual exam of the patient's teeth, confirming thediagnosis of the patient's correctable tooth position malocclusions by asecond dental professional, prescribing a treatment plan to correct thepatient's correctable tooth position malocclusions, creating a digitaldesign for a prescribed set of aligners by the first dental professionalor the second dental professional to correct the patient's correctabletooth position malocclusions, sending the digital design for theprescribed set of aligners to an aligner manufacturer to fabricate theprescribed set of aligners, receiving and approving the prescribed setof aligners by an orthodontist, sending the prescribed set of alignersto the patient for wearing according to the prescribed plan, regularlymonitoring the patient during the course of the prescribed treatmentplan, All of the above can be performed through the use of a single,integrated virtual reality orthodontics (VRO) system. The VRO systemprovides secure and consistent information, rapid updates of patientinformation, rapid and secure communications, a central location for allpatient information, and easy access by all authorized dentalprofessionals and providers.

In general, the integrated systems and methods are implemented in andoperate through the integrated VRO system, which includes a VRO platformconnected to a patient management platform, and provides an interfacewith features that integrate all of the necessary, separate, anddisconnected doctor and service provider systems that are currently usedinto a novel, one-stop system for referring, onboarding,financing/paying for the treatment, diagnosing and prescribingtreatment, designing the prescribed set of aligners, manufacturing theprescribed set of aligners to treat the patient, reviewing and approvingthe manufactured prescribed set of aligners by an orthodontist,providing and treating the patient with the prescribed set of aligners,and monitoring the patient during treatment to include conductingvirtual and/or physical examinations of the patient's progress.

Specific benefits of the presently disclosed system and method overexisting, disconnected systems include, but are not limited to: improvedspeed of communications and increased access to up-to-date patientinformation due to the integrated communications and central datastorage; all dental professionals have access to and can update apatient's dental information through a single, integrated platform; andthe patient's dental information is stored in a central database that isaccessible by authorized users of the system. In addition, relatedservice professionals such as aligner manufacturers, scan centers,finance companies, and billing professionals as well as patients canhave access to the system to enter and retrieve information to whichthey have authorization to access. A further benefit is that patientscan have a virtual appointment with a doctor through the system usingvideo communications equipment/systems, which can include for example,currently available commercial systems such as Zoom® and Goto Meeting®,as well as, a specially programmed and integrated proprietary videocommunications equipment/system that is part of the presently disclosedsystem and method. A related benefit is that all information added tothe patient's dental record is immediately available to all other dentalprofessionals that have access to the patient's dental information.

Another benefit of the presently disclosed system and method is improvedcurrency, completeness, accuracy of and access to each patient's dentalinformation, because all authorized dental professionals involved intreating the patient can access and update the patient's dentalinformation through the single, integrated patient platform and all ofthe patient's dental information is stored in the central database. Afurther benefit is an improvement in the quality of treatment and careof the patient, because an originating doctor's diagnosis of a patienthaving a correctable tooth malocclusion is reviewed and confirmed by asecond, independent doctor, and the actual manufactured aligners arephysically reviewed and approved by an orthodontist before they areprovided to the patient for treatment. If not approved, the aligners aresent back to the aligner manufacturer to remanufacture them. A stillfurther benefit is that presently disclosed system and method improvesefficiency in providing patient care, because all of the patient'sdental information related to this treatment is stored in the patient'sdental record in the central database to which only the patient'sauthorized dental professionals have access. For example, the patient'sdental information can include, but is not limited to, the patient'scomplete dental history including doctor's treatment notes, x-rays, bitewings, digital scans, photographs or scanned images of physical,negative dental impressions made with a dental impression material, forexample, but not limited to, polyvinyl siloxane (PVS), direct digitalscans of the mouth and teeth of the patient (i.e., intraoral scans),etc.

Yet another benefit of the presently disclosed system and method is animproved availability of treatment to patients that do not live close toa trained dental professional capable of providing this kind oftreatment. In addition, it improves patient access through the platformto their personal dental information, improves and streamlines thepayment and financing process and doctor collections, because thepatient can apply directly for financing through the system withmultiple lenders, receive and distribute loan disbursements, make manualpayments, and set up automatic payments. Similarly, the integratedplatform system improves efficiency for the doctors, patients, andservice providers by having a single access point for all neededservices, which can result in increased job satisfaction andsatisfaction with the treatment.

A still further benefit includes providing multiple options for howpatients can be on-boarded, i.e., brought into the system for treatment,for example, Direct to Provider (DTP), which is where a patient isrecruited through, for example, but not limited to, direct marketingefforts and enters into the VRO system without a referral from atreating doctor, for example, a dentist, an orthodontist, anendodontist, a prosthodontist, an oral surgeon, and a periodontist. Inthis instance, the patient, through the VRO system, registers andcreates a patient dental record, then enters their dental informationand photos of their mouth and teeth into the patient dental record in asecure, artificial intelligence (AI) system, for example, but notlimited to, an existing system like SmileMate™ from Dental Monitoring.After the patient has entered their dental information and photos oftheir mouth and teeth, a VRO orthodontist, through the VRO system,accesses and uses the secure, AI system to determine whether the patientqualifies for treatment, including whether the patient has a healthydentition or a healthy mouth, using a patient dental report with aproposed length of treatment and cost generated by the secure, AIsystem. A healthy dentition, a healthy dental status, a healthy mouth,or good dental health, means that the teeth and gums are free ofinfections, diseases, injuries, and other problems. If the patientqualifies for treatment, the VRO orthodontist, through the VRO system,sends a message to the patient to go to an affiliated dentalprofessional or an affiliated dental scan center (who is paid by VRO) tohave their mouth imaged. The VRO orthodontist also sends a requestmessage to the affiliated dental professional to let them know thepatient will be coming and to obtain the patient's initial dental recordinformation, including, but not limited to, digital 3-dimensional moldsof the patient's teeth and mouth. Once the patient's initial dentalrecord information is collected, the affiliated dental professionalsends the patient's initial dental record information to the VROorthodontist, through the VRO system, where it is stored in the patientdental record in the central database in a memory of the integratedplatform. The central database is connected to and accessible by aconnected practice management system (PMS) platform, for example, butnot limited to, an existing system like GreyFinch from GreyFinch, LLC.The patient, through the VRO system, is also able to set up an accountwith a payment and loan processing provider, for example, but notlimited to, GreenSky, LLC. The VRO orthodontist, using a 3-dimensionaldigital treatment planning platform, for example, but not limited to,SureSmile from Dentsply Sirona, that is accessed through the VRO systemdiagnoses, creates a prescribed treatment plan, and creates athree-dimensional (3-D) digital design for a set of progressive alignersto treat the patient's tooth position malocclusions. Once finalized, theVRO orthodontist sends a patient case file with the diagnosis, theprescribed treatment plan, and the 3-D digital design for the patient'sset of progressive aligners through the VRO system to a secondorthodontist for quality control to review and confirm the VROorthodontist's diagnosis, the 3-D digital design for the patient's setof progressive aligners, and the prescribed treatment plan. If approved,the second orthodontist sends the patient case file, through the VROsystem, to a state evaluator 170 for final approval. The state evaluator170 is a licensed and highly trained dental professional, for example,but not limited to, an orthodontist with training and extensiveexperience in the use of 3-D digital dental diagnostic, treatmentplanning, and orthodontic appliance and aligner design andmanufacturing. The state evaluator can be a non-VRO orthodontist as wellas one or more of the VRO orthodontists.

Once the VRO orthodontist receives the final approval back from thestate evaluator 170, through the VRO system, the VRO orthodontist sendsan order, also through the VRO system, to an aligner manufacturer tomanufacture the patient's set of progressive aligners using the 3-Ddigital design for the patient's set of progressive aligners. Oncecompleted, the aligner manufacturer sends a message, through the VROsystem, to the VRO orthodontist and an aligner approving orthodontistthat the aligners are ready and ships the patient's set of progressivealigners to the aligner approving orthodontist to be reviewed andapproved before being sent to the patient. If the aligners are approved,the aligner approving orthodontist sends a message that the aligners areready to the patient and the VRO orthodontist, through the VRO system,and ships the patient's set of progressive aligners along with written,photo, and video instructions on how to insert and wear the patient'sset of progressive aligners along with an AI monitoring device directlyto patient. The AI monitoring device can include, for example, but isnot limited to, a personal mobile phone, tablet, digital camera, and anyother dental scanner.

If the aligners are not approved, the aligners are returned to thealigner manufacturer with instructions on what needs to be corrected andmessages about the needed corrections are send to the VRO orthodontistand the aligner manufacturer, through the VRO system. Once thecorrections have been made the aligner manufacturer sends a new message,through the VRO system, to the VRO orthodontist and the alignerapproving orthodontist that the corrected aligners are ready and thensends the patient's corrected set of progressive aligners to anapproving orthodontist to be reviewed and approved before being sent tothe patient. If the corrected aligners are approved, the alignerapproving orthodontist sends a message that the aligners are ready tothe patient and the VRO orthodontist, through the VRO system, and shipsthe patient's set of progressive aligners along with written, photo, andvideo instructions on how to insert and wear the patient's set ofprogressive aligners and the above-described, or other, AI monitoringdevice directly to patient.

During an active treatment phase where the patient is wearing theprescribed aligners for a prescribed time each day, the patient can bemonitored for progression analysis by the VRO orthodontist, through theVRO system using the AI monitoring device. If needed, the patient can bedirected to the state evaluator 170 for a physical or virtual visit forprogression analysis. Once the prescribed treatment plan is completed,the patient will be shipped one or more retention devices with written,photo, and video instructions, i.e., a final aligner that is designed tomaintain a final tooth position achieved by the prescribed treatmentplan. The one or more retention devices was designed as part of theprescribed treatment plan.

Alternatively, if a patient already has a doctor (e.g., a GeneralPractice dentist who is or may not be trained or equipped to performsome or all of the aligner treatment, one of the affiliated dentalprofessionals, or the affiliated dental scan centers), for a fee, thedoctor can place the patient into the VRO system and use the VROplatform and method of treatment for the patient. In yet anotheralternative, doctors can refer their patients to the VRO doctors tohandle the entire treatment process, as described above, and thereferring doctor can receive compensation for the referral, but is stillable to monitor the patient's progress during the treatment process.This can positively affect both the patient's ultimate treatment and thereferring doctor's income with a minimal time and out-of-pocket expensecommitment for the referring doctor, because it can free up thereferring doctor's in-office resources and time to see other patientswith conditions in line with the referring doctor's practice.

Additional advantages of the presently disclosed subject matter systemand method include, a level of quality of the aligners and treatment isimproved, because two (2) orthodontist's (i.e., a first, diagnosingorthodontist and a second, confirming orthodontist) agree on thediagnosis, the aligners are digitally designed by a highly trainedorthodontist using the 3-D image of the mouth and teeth of the patient,a third orthodontist reviews and approves the aligners before they aresent to the patient, and the patient is regularly monitored, either:virtually, by using audio, digital, and video communication methods,documents, images, files, and physical molds; or, in-person, duringtreatment by the first, diagnosing orthodontist. As a result, bettertooth position malocclusion correction outcomes are realized for thepatient.

Other advantageous and new features include: 1) an at home kit forpatients to take their own bite registrations that, once completed bythe patient, are sent to be scanned to create a digital 3D mold of theteeth and mouth of the patient, which is then examined to determinewhether the patient has correctable tooth position malocclusions; 2)send patient to Dental Scan Center for an Intraoral scan and create adirect digital mold; 3) use traditional PVS & send for scanning tocreate an indirect digital mold; and 4) other mouth and tooth digitalscanning equipment. Still further advantageous features of the presentlydisclosed subject matter are that a patient be 18 years or older,because the patient's jaw and mouth have generally stopped growing bythe time the patient is 18 years old, so this reduces the chances offuture tooth movement, which increases the chances of a successfulcorrection of the patient's tooth position malocclusion. A furtherbenefit, is that, while the current Medical Standard of dental care onlycalls for a full mouth series (FMS) be done every 3 years and bitewingX-rays every year, the present system and method, during the activetreatment phase, utilizes probing & bitewing X-rays every 12 months anda FMS every 24 months. This additional level of care helps to ensure asuccessful treatment outcome for the patient's tooth positionmalocclusion, but can also improve the patient's general dental health,due to the increased level of scrutiny of the mouth and teeth of thepatient.

To address the above-described problem, embodiments of the subjectnetwork-based patient tooth malocclusion diagnosis and treatment methodand system were developed to collect, convert, consolidate, and sharepatient information from various dental professionals and dental serviceand appliance providers in at least one standardized format, store it incentralized network-based storage devices, and provide access toauthorized dental professionals, suppliers/service providers, andpatients to the information. This will enable accurate diagnosis andtreatment of each patient's unique and specific malocclusion condition.The method and system provides a graphical user interface (GUI) througha content server platform, which can be hardware or a combination ofboth hardware and software and can be integrated with or independentfrom the content server platform. A user, for example, but not limitedto, a dental professional (i.e., a dentist or an orthodontist), is givena user-specific level of access to the content server platform throughthe GUI to enter, view or update information about a patient's medicalcondition using the user's own local device (e.g., but not limited to, apersonal computer, laptop, tablet, or wireless handheld device). Whenthe user wants to update the patient's records, the user can input theupdate via the user's chosen device directly into the content serverplatform base on the user's user-specific level of access. Whenever thepatient information is updated, it is stored in a collection of patientmedical records on one or more of the network-based storage devices.After the updated information about the patient's condition has beenstored in the collection of patient medical records, the content server,which is connected to the network-based storage devices, automaticallygenerates a message containing the updated information about thepatient's condition. This message can be selectively transmitted overthe computer network to all dental professionals, dental service, andappliance providers that have authorized access to and need to know thepatient's updated information via the content server platform. Thisensures that each of the necessary dental professionals and dentalservice and appliance providers is always given immediate notice andaccess to changes so they can readily adapt their own medical diagnosticand treatment strategy in accordance with other providers' actions andprovided information. The message can be in the form of an emailmessage, a text message, or other type of message known in the art.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, wherein thepatient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, includesdetermining whether the patient has a correctable tooth positionabnormality or an uncorrectable tooth position abnormality by: obtainingor having obtained a mold (for example, but not limited to, atraditional dental mold) or a 3D image of the mouth and teeth of thepatient; and performing or having performed an analysis of that mold orimage of the mouth and teeth of the patient by a licensed dentalprofessional (for example, but not limited to, a licensed dentist or alicensed orthodontist) to determine whether the patient qualifies with ahealthy dentition and has a correctable tooth position abnormality. Ifthe licensed dental professional determines the patient has a healthydental status and has the correctable tooth position abnormality,verifying or having verified by an orthodontist the licensed dentalprofessional's determination that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality. If the orthodontist verifies the licensed dentalprofessional's determination that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality, then, if the patient's correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a minor correctable tooth positionabnormality, providing a minor plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the mold or image of the mouth andteeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth ofthe patient for a first predetermined length of time, for example, apredetermined number of days or weeks, and for a predetermined number ofhours per day; or, if the patient's correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a major correctable tooth positionabnormality, then providing a major plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of the patientfor a second predetermined length of time, for example, a predeterminednumber of days or weeks, and for a predetermined number of hours perday. It may be determined that the patient's condition is too complex touse aligners alone, but may qualify for wire therapy, or a hybridcombination of aligners and wire therapy, which treatment is describedbelow. Finally, if it is determined that the patient has the correctabletooth position abnormality, then upon completion of the administering ofeach of either the minor plurality of differently configured, removableteeth aligners, or the major plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners, providing a final removable teeth alignerbased at least partially on the mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient and which is to be administered to the teeth of the patient fora third predetermined amount of time, for example, but not limited to,at least 12 hours per day and lifetime wear.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, wherein thepatient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, the methodincluding: determining whether the patient has a correctable toothposition abnormality by: obtaining or having obtained a digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient; and performingor having performed an analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient by a first licensed dental professionalto determine whether the patient has a correctable tooth positionabnormality or if it is an uncorrectable tooth position abnormality. Ifthe first licensed dental professional determines the patient has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality, verifying or having verified bya second licensed dental professional the first licensed dentalprofessional's determination that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality. If the second licensed dental professionalverifies the first licensed dental professional's determination that thepatient has the correctable tooth position abnormality, then: if thepatient's correctable tooth position abnormality is determined to be aminor abnormality, providing a plurality of minor differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to beadministered to the teeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for atleast 20 hours/day, and if the patient's correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a major abnormality, then providing aplurality of major differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of the patientfor one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day. The plurality ofminor differently configured, removable teeth aligners and the pluralityof major differently configured, removable teeth aligners areadministered to the teeth of the patient in a predetermined order. If itis determined that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then upon completion of the administering of either theplurality of minor differently configured, removable teeth aligners orthe plurality of major differently configured, removable teeth aligners,providing a final removable teeth aligner based at least partially onthe digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient,which is to be administered to the teeth of the patient for at least 12hours/day and lifetime wear.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, wherein thepatient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, the methodcomprising: a) storing information in at least one standardized formatabout a patient's tooth position malocclusion condition through agraphical user interface in one or more network-based non-transitorystorage devices having a collection of dental records stored thereon,the information including three-dimensional (3-D) images of the mouthand teeth of the patient; b) providing a user-specific level of accessto multiple users over a network, so any one of the multiple users canreview and update the information about the patient's tooth positionmalocclusion condition in the collection of dental records in real timethrough the graphical user interface based on each user's user-specificlevel of access, wherein the updated information from at least one ofthe multiple users is provided in a non-standardized format; c)converting, by a content server, the non-standardized format updatedinformation into updated information in the standardized format; d)storing the standardized format updated information about the patient'stooth position malocclusion condition in the collection of dentalrecords in the standardized format; e) storing, in the collection ofdental records, an initial diagnosis of the patient's tooth positionmalocclusion condition being correctable from a first dentalprofessional user; f) storing, in the collection of dental records, aconfirmatory diagnosis of the patient's tooth position malocclusioncondition being correctable from an orthodontist user; g) storing, inthe collection of dental records, digital designs for a set ofprogressive aligners based on the 3-D images of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient that are configured to progressively correct the patient'stooth position malocclusion condition; h) sending an order message withthe designs for the set of progressive aligners based on the 3-D imagesof the mouth and teeth of the patient to an aligner manufacturer; i)receiving a completed order message that the aligners are complete andhave been shipped to an approving orthodontist for review and approval;j) receiving an approval message from the approving orthodontist; k)automatically generating a ready message containing the updatedinformation about the approved aligners by the content server; and l)transmitting the ready message to at least the dental professional,patient, and aligner manufacturer users over the computer network inreal time, so that each user has immediate access to up-to-date patientdental information.

FIG. 1 is a block system diagram showing a configuration of a VirtualReality Orthodontics (VRO) system illustrating the system components andcommunication paths there between, in accordance with variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In the exemplary embodimentin FIG. 1 , a system 100 includes an integrated patient VRO system 110that includes a VRO platform 111 connected to a practice managementsystem platform 112 via an internal secure communication connection 113,or, alternatively, the practice management system platform 112 can beexternal to the VRO system 110 and connected to and in communicationwith the VRO platform 111 through an external communication network 120,for example, but not limited to, Internet 120, via one or more VROplatform secure Internet communications connections 124. While theembodiment of the VRO system 110 and the VRO platform 111 in FIG. 1 isshown as one system, in other embodiments, the functionality of the VROsystem 110 can be implemented in one or more distributed systems. InFIG. 1 , the VRO platform 111 can include a processor 114 that iscommunicatively connected to a bus 115 or other communication system, isfor processing information and can be a one of many types of generalpurpose or specific purpose processors, as well as anapplication-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) processor. The VROplatform 111 further includes a memory 116 for storing data, informationand processor-executable instructions such as for a graphical userinterface 117 and an operating system 119, as well as data in a patientdental record database 118. Memory 116 is communicatively connected tobus 115, which is also communicatively connected to a communicationdevice 123, which is configured to enable communications with internalVRO system 110 components and with Internet 120 via the one or more VROplatform secure Internet communications connections 121. Communicationdevice 123 can include one or more network interface (NIC) cards for awired network connection (e.g., but not limited to, a cable, anEthernet, or a fiber optic connection) and a wireless network connection(e.g., but not limited to, a Wi-Fi, a cellular, an infrared, and a radioconnection). The practice management system platform 112 can beimplemented and executed within VRO platform 111 as well as on aseparate, connected computing system, similar to that described abovefor VRO platform 111 and including similar components (for example, butnot limited to, a second processor, a second bus, a second memory, asecond communications device, etc.).

VRO platform 111, in FIG. 1 , further includes a system workstation 122communicatively connected to bus 115 and can be used primarily foradministrative management of VRO system 110 and VRO platform 111.Although not separately shown, system workstation 122 can include itsown processor, bus, memory, communication device, non-volatile storagesystem, and programs for accessing and controlling VRO system 110 andVRO platform 111, as well as peripheral devices like a keyboard, amouse, and a display.

In FIG. 1 , memory 116 includes processor-executable code for agraphical user interface (GUI) 117 and an operating system 119, as wellas a patient dental record database 118. Integrated patient platform110, as well as VRO platform 111 and practice management system platform112, can be accessed through GUI 117 by at least one teeth imager andteeth mold maker 125 (for example, but not limited to, a smile center125), at least one aligner manufacturer 127, multiple patients130-1-130-N, multiple dental professionals 140-1-140-M, multiple VROdental professionals 150, and one or more finance companies 160 (boththe multiple VRO dental professionals 150, and one or more financecompanies 160 are shown here as single components for convenience). Thisaccess can be via one or more secure direct communications connectionsor secure Internet communications connections. For example, the at leastone teeth imager and teeth mold maker 125 and the at least one alignermanufacturer 127 can communicate with VRO platform 111 via secure directcommunications connections 126 and 129, respectively. Although notshown, the at least one teeth imager and teeth mold maker 125 and the atleast one aligner manufacturer 127 can also communicate with VROplatform 111 via secure Internet 120 communications connections. VROplatform 111 can communicate over the Internet via the one or more VROplatform secure Internet communications connections 121; and thepractice management system platform 112 can communicate over theInternet 120 via one or more diagnostic, design, and patient monitoringplatform secure Internet communications connections 124. Likewise, eachof the multiple patients 130-1-130-N can communicate through theInternet via secure communications connection 131-1-131-N, respectively,as well as being able to communicate directly with their respectivedental professional 140-1-140-M via secure direct communicationsconnections, for example, a first patient 1 130-1 can communicate with alast dental professional 1 140-1 via a secure direct communicationsconnection 132. Similarly, a last patient N 130-N can communicate with alast dental professional 1 140-M via a secure direct communicationsconnection 133. Of course, each of the multiple patients 130-1-130-N cancommunicate directly with each of the multiple dental professionals140-1-140-M and multiple VRO dental professionals 150 via other securedirect communications connections (not shown). Each of the multipledental professionals 140-1-140-M can communicate through the Internetvia secure communications connections 141-1-141-M, respectively. Inaddition, each of the multiple VRO dental professionals 150 cancommunicate with the other entities in the system 100 over the Internetvia one or more secure VRO dental professionals communicationsconnections 151.

An exemplary, but not limiting, example of one method of obtaining andtreating the patient 130-1 using the system 100 of FIG. 1 is through,for example, but not limited to, recruiting the patient 130-1 usingdirect marketing efforts and entering the patient 130-1 into VRO system110 through VRO platform 111 without a referral from a treating doctor,for example, dental professional 140-1. In this instance, patient 130-1,through VRO platform 111, registers and creates a patient dental recordin a patient dental record database 118 in VRO system 110, and thenenters their dental information and photos of their mouth and teeth intotheir patient dental record in the patient dental record database 118.The patient dental record database 118 is accessible using a secure,artificial intelligence (AI) system 128, for example, but not limitedto, an existing system like SmileMate™ from Dental Monitoring. The AIsystem 128 can be implemented in a practice management system (PMS)platform 112 or can be a separate program that can be accessed throughthe PMS platform 112. After the patient 130-1 has entered their dentalinformation and photos of their mouth and teeth, a first VROorthodontist 151-1 from multiple VRO dental professionals 150, throughVRO system 110 and/or the PMS platform 112, accesses and uses thesecure, AI system 128 to determine whether the patient qualifies fortreatment using a patient dental report with a proposed length oftreatment and cost generated by the secure, AI system 128. If thepatient qualifies for treatment, the first VRO orthodontist 151-1,through VRO system 110, sends a message to the patient 130-1 to go to anaffiliated dental professional 140-1 or an affiliated dental scan center125 (who is paid by VRO) to have an image of the patient's 130-1 mouthmade. The first VRO orthodontist 151-1 also sends a request message,i.e., a work order, through VRO system 110 to the affiliated dentalprofessional 140-1 or the affiliated dental scan center 125 to let themknow the patient 130-1 will be coming and to obtain the patient'sinitial dental record information, including, but not limited to,digital 3-dimensional molds of the patient's teeth and mouth. Once thepatient's initial dental record information is collected, the affiliateddental professional 140-1 or the affiliated dental scan center 125 sendsthe patient's initial dental record information to VRO orthodontist151-1, through VRO system 110, where it is stored in the patient dentalrecord in the central database 118 in the memory of the integratedplatform and is connected to and accessible by the practice managementsystem platform 112, for example, but not limited to, an existing systemlike GreyFinch.from Greyfinch, LLC. The patient 130-1, through VROsystem 110 via the GUI 117, is also able to set up an account with apayment and loan processing provider, for example, but not limited to,GreenSky, LLC. VRO orthodontist 151-1, using a 3-dimensional softwaresystem, for example, but not limited to, SureSmile from Dentsply Sirona,that is accessed through VRO system 110 diagnoses, creates a prescribedtreatment plan, and creates a digital design for a set of progressivealigners to treat the patient's tooth position malocclusions. Oncefinalized, VRO orthodontist 151-1 sends a patient case file with thediagnosis, the prescribed treatment plan, and the digital design for thepatient's set of progressive aligners through VRO system 110 to a secondVRO orthodontist 150-2 for quality control to review and confirm VROorthodontist's 151-1 diagnosis and prescribed treatment plan. Ifapproved, the second VRO orthodontist 150-2 sends the patient case file,through VRO system 110, to a state evaluator 170 for final approval. Thestate evaluator 170 is a licensed and highly trained dentalprofessional, for example, but not limited to, an orthodontist withtraining and extensive experience in the use of 3-D digital dentaldiagnostic, treatment planning, and orthodontic appliance and alignerdesign and manufacturing. The state evaluator can be a non-VROorthodontist as well as one or more of VRO orthodontists.

Once VRO orthodontist 151-1 receives the final approval back from thestate evaluator 170, through VRO system 110, VRO orthodontist 151-1sends an order, also through VRO system 110, to an aligner manufacturer127 to manufacture the patient's set of progressive aligners. Oncecompleted, the aligner manufacturer 127 sends a message, through VROsystem 110, to VRO orthodontist 151-1 and an aligner approvingorthodontist, who can be, for example, but not limited to, the first VROorthodontist 151-1 or the second VRO orthodontist 151-2 that thealigners are ready and ships the patient's set of progressive alignersto the aligner approving orthodontist 150-1, 150-2 to be reviewed andapproved before being sent to the patient 130-1. In addition, thealigner approving orthodontist can be another qualified VRO orthodontist150-3-150-n or a qualified non-VRO orthodontist (not shown). As seen inFIG. 1 , the aligner approving orthodontist is one of the multiple VROdental professionals 150, for example, either the first VRO orthodontist150-1 or the second VRO orthodontist 150-2. If the aligners areapproved, the aligner approving orthodontist 150-1, 150-2 sends amessage that the aligners are ready to the patient 130-1, the alignermanufacturer 127 and the first VRO orthodontist 150-1 (if not thealigner approving orthodontist), through VRO system 110, and ships thepatient's set of progressive aligners along with written, photo, andvideo instructions on how to insert and wear the patient's set ofprogressive aligners along with an AI monitoring device directly to thepatient 130-1. The AI monitoring device can include, for example, but isnot limited to, a personal mobile phone, tablet, digital camera, and anyother dental scanner,

If the aligners are not approved, the aligners are returned to thealigner manufacturer 127 with instructions on what needs to be correctedand messages about the needed corrections are send to the first VROorthodontist 150-1 and the aligner manufacturer 127, through VRO system110. Once the corrections have been made the aligner manufacturer 127sends a new message, through VRO system 110, to the first VROorthodontist 150-1 and the aligner approving orthodontist 150-1, 150-2that the corrected aligners are ready and then sends the patient'scorrected set of progressive aligners to an approving orthodontist to bereviewed and approved before being sent to the patient 130-1. If thecorrected aligners are approved, the aligner approving orthodontist150-1, 150-2 sends a message that the aligners are ready to the patient130-1, the aligner manufacturer 127, and the first VRO orthodontist150-1, through VRO system 110, and ships the patient's set ofprogressive aligners along with written, photo, and video instructionson how to insert and wear the patient's set of progressive aligners andthe above-described AI monitoring device directly to the patient 130-1.

During an active treatment phase where the patient 130-1 is wearing theprescribed aligners for a prescribed time each day, the patient 130-1can be monitored for progression analysis by the first VRO orthodontist150-1, through VRO system 110. If needed, the patient 130-1 can bedirected to the state evaluator 170 for a physical or virtual visit forprogression analysis. Once the prescribed treatment plan is completed,the patient 130-1 will be shipped one or more retention devices withwritten, photo, and video instructions, i.e., a final aligner that isdesigned to maintain a final tooth position achieved by the prescribedtreatment plan that is commonly referred to as a retainer. The one ormore retention devices were designed as part of the initial treatmentplan, but, they can either be produced with the patient's set ofprescribed aligners or can be produced after the prescribed treatmentplan is completed. In this way it is possible for the first VROorthodontist 150-1 to adjust the digital design of the one or moreretention devices, if the patient's actual final tooth position variesfrom the prescribed treatment plan.

Alternatively, if the patient 130-1 already has a doctor 140-1 (forexample, a General Practice dentist 140-M who is not trained or equippedto perform some or all of the aligner treatment, one of the affiliateddental professionals 140-M, or the affiliated dental scan centers 125),for a fee, the doctor can place the patient into VRO system 110 and useVRO platform and method of treatment for the patient. In yet anotheralternative, doctors can refer their patients to the first VROorthodontist 150-1 to handle the entire treatment process, as describedabove, and the referring doctor can receive compensation for thereferral, but is still able to monitor the patient's progress during thetreatment process. This can positively affect the patient's ultimatetreatment and the referring doctor's income with a minimal time andout-of-pocket expense commitment, because it can free up the referringdoctor's in-office resources and time to see other patients withconditions in line with the referring doctor's practice.

Additional advantages of the presently disclosed subject matter systemand method include, a level of quality of the aligners and treatment isimproved, because two (2) VRO orthodontist's (i.e., a first, diagnosingorthodontist and a second, confirming orthodontist) agree on thediagnosis, a State evaluator reviews and approves the plan, the alignersare digitally designed by a highly trained orthodontist using the 3-Dimage of the mouth and teeth of the patient, a third orthodontist, alsoreferred to as an approving orthodontist, reviews and approves thealigners before they are sent to the patient, and the patient isregularly monitored, either virtually or in-person, during treatment bythe first, diagnosing orthodontist. As a result, not only can bettertooth position malocclusion correction outcomes be realized for thepatient, but also patients that might not normally have access toreceive this level of treatment now will be able to receive treatment.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an overview of a patient onboarding process200 for a method of diagnosing and treating a patient 205 with acorrectable tooth malocclusion, in accordance with various embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 2 , the patient 205 can enterthe patient onboarding process 200 as a result of direct marketing byVRO dental professionals 150, by the other dental professionals140-1-140-M, or through a dental scan center 230. If the patient 205 isbrought in by VRO dental professionals 150, generally the patient 205first goes through a concierge 210, for example, but not limited to, aVRO concierge 210 to, among other things, get the patient 205 registeredin VRO platform 111, explain the process, schedule appointments, arrangefinancing, and answer questions. If the patient 205 is brought inthrough a dental scan center 230, which generally happens after thepatient 205 was sent to the dental scan center 230 by the patient'sdental professional, the patient 205 can be brought directly into VROplatform 111 by the dental scan center 230 or, alternatively, throughthe concierge 210. Once the patient 205 is in VRO platform 111, aninitial virtual consult 240 is held between the patient 205 and one ormore of VRO dental professionals 150 to determine whether the patient205 is a potential candidate for treatment and, if the patient 205 is acandidate, the patient 205 generates photographs 245 of their mouth andteeth and submits them to VRO platform 111 for review and evaluation 250by VRO dental professionals 150. If the review and evaluation 250results in the patient 205 being accepted, the patient 205 is referredto the dental scan center 230 to have a 3-dimensional (3-D) scan done ofthe patient's teeth and mouth to create a full size, 3-D model of thepatient's teeth and mouth. It is the full size, 3-D model of thepatient's teeth and mouth that is used to design and manufacture theteeth aligners to correct the patient's 205 teeth malocclusions. If thereview and evaluation 250 results in the patient 205 being rejected, thepatient is referred 255 to an orthodontist for treatment usingtraditional braces and wires.

In FIG. 2 , if the patient 205 is accepted after the review andevaluation 250 and was brought in through the dental scan center 230,the patient 205 can be referred back to the dental scan center 230 formonitoring during the treatment. In FIG. 2 , if the patient 205 isaccepted after the review and evaluation 250 and was brought in throughto the patient's 205 dental professional (see, FIG. 1, 140-1-140 -N),the patient 205 can be referred back to the patient's 205 dentalprofessional for monitorring during the treatment.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an overview of a teeth aligner process 300for use in the method of diagnosing and treating the patient 205 withthe correctable tooth malocclusion, in accordance with variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 3 , the patientonboarding process 200 of FIG. 2 has been performed and the patient 205information and records are in VRO platform 111 and can be accessedthrough the practice management system platform 112 that is incommunication with VRO platform 111. VRO platform 111 can coordinate andcontrol making payments to the dental scan centers 310, preparing andsending patient bills 315, and coordinating, obtaining, and controllingthird party financing 320 of the patient's 205 treatment. In addition,VRO platform 111 can receive and account for patient payments 325.

In FIG. 3 , VRO platform 111 provides the patient 205 information forreview and evaluation 250 by VRO dental professional 150. If the reviewand evaluation 250 results in the patient 205 being accepted, thepatient is sent to have a digital lab 330 create the digital model ofthe mouth and teeth of the patient. Following the digital lab 330creation of virtual designs for one or more aligners and a finalretainer based on the 3-D digital model of the mouth and teeth of thepatient, VRO dental professional 150 and the patient 205 review andevaluate 335 the virtual designs for one or more aligners and the finalretainer virtually through VRO platform 111. If VRO dental professional150 and the patient 205 believe changes need to made to the virtualdesigns for one or more aligners and the final retainer, then the neededchanges are sent back to the digital lab 330 to implement the changesand return for final review by VRO dental professional 150 and thepatient 205. If the review and evaluation 335 results in VRO dentalprofessional 150 and the patient 205 both accepting 340 the virtualdesigns for the one or more aligners and the final retainer, the virtualdesigns for the one or more aligners and the final retainer are thenprocessed 345 by VRO dental professional 150 and sent to an alignermanufacturing lab 350 to produce the actual one or more aligners andfinal retainer from the virtual designs. As noted previously, the one ormore aligners and the final retainer are unique to each patient 205 andtheir specific teeth malocclusions. After the aligner manufacturing lab350 produces the one or more aligners and the final retainer, they aresent for review and approval 355 by VRO dental professional 150 oranother VRO dental professional 150. In general, this review is aphysical review to ensure the quality and correctness of the one or morealigners and the final retainer, but it can also be performed virtuallythrough VRO platform 111, either manually or using ArtificialIntelligence (AI) software. The virtual review can be accomplished byhaving the aligner manufacturer send digital scans of each of the one ormore aligners and the final retainer, which can be compared against theoriginal virtual designs for the one or more aligners and the finalretainer that were created by VRO dental professional 150. If approved,the one or more aligners and the final retainer are sent to the patient205. If corrections are needed, the one or more aligners and the finalretainer are sent 356 back to the aligner manufacturing lab 350 for thecorrections and return for another review and approval 355 by VRO dentalprofessional 150. Once approved, the one or more aligners and the finalretainer are sent 360 to the patient 205 to begin treatment of thepatient 205.

In FIG. 3 , if the review and evaluation 335 results in either thedoctor or the patient 205 rejecting 340 the original virtual designs ofthe aligners for the patient's 205 teeth, then the patient 205 isreferred out of VRO platform 111 to a regular, “brick and mortar”orthodontist 255 for traditional orthodontic treatment.

FIG. 4 is a system flow diagram of the patient 205 interaction, i.e.,experience, with VRO system 110 and method, in accordance with variousembodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 4 , the patient 205experience with VRO system 110 and method using VRO platform 111 fromon-boarding through VRO concierge 210, obtaining the digital model oftheir mouth and teeth, being diagnosed as a viable candidate andaccepted for treatment, accepting 340 the one or more aligners and thefinal retainer, the aligner provision process, to actually being treatedand virtually monitored by VRO dental professional 150, the scan centerdoctor, and/or the patient's referring physician through VRO platform111.

In FIG. 4 , during treatment, the patient 205 is regularly observed 405and monitored 410 by VRO dental professional 150 through VRO platform111, which permits direct visual interaction and communication betweenthe patient 205 and VRO dental professional 150. If a problem or anissue is diagnosed by VRO dental professional 150, an alert 415 can besent to the patient. In addition, if the patient 205 was initiallyreferred by an outside dental professional or from a doctor at the scancenter 220, the alerts 415 can be sent to them at the same time as thealerts 415 are sent to the patient 205.

FIG. 5 is the flow chart diagram of a patient diagnostic and treatmentprocess, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. In FIG. 5 , a patient diagnostic and treatment process 500starts 501 and a three dimensional (3-D) image or mold of the mouth andteeth of the patient is obtained 505 and then analyzed 510 by a firstdental professional, i.e., a first dentist or a first orthodontist, todetermine 515 whether the patient 205 has a good, i.e., healthy,dentition and a correctable tooth position malocclusion. If the patient205 is determined 515 to have the good dentition and the correctabletooth position malocclusion, then the diagnosis is reviewed by a seconddental professional, i.e., a second dentist or a second orthodontist, toverify 520 whether the diagnosis of the good dentition and thecorrectable tooth position malocclusion is correct. If verified 520,then if the tooth position malocclusion is determined 525 to be a minormalocclusion, then the patient is provided 530 with a plurality of minordifferently configured removable teeth aligners, each of which thepatient 205 is to where for a predetermined number of days or weeks andfor a predetermined number of hours each day. The predetermined numberof days or weeks and the predetermined number of hours each day aredetermined and prescribed by either the first or second dentalprofessional. For example, in some embodiments of the presentlydisclosed subject matter, the predetermined number of days or weeks canbe from 1 to 4 weeks and the predetermined number of hours each day canbe from 12 to 20 hours per day. In a specific embodiment, thepredetermined number of days or weeks can be from 1 to 2 weeks and thepredetermined number of hours each day can be 20 hours per day.

In FIG. 5 , if verified 520, then if the tooth position malocclusion isdetermined 525 to be a major malocclusion, then the patient is provided530 with a plurality of major differently configured removable teethaligners, each of which the patient 205 is to wear for a predeterminednumber of days or weeks and for a predetermined number of hours eachday. The predetermined number of days or weeks and the predeterminednumber of hours each day are determined and prescribed by either thefirst or second dental professional. For example, in some embodiments ofthe presently disclosed subject matter, the predetermined number of daysor weeks can be from 1 to 4 weeks and the predetermined number of hourseach day can be from 12 to 20 hours per day. In a specific embodiment,the predetermined number of days or weeks can be from 1 to 2 weeks andthe predetermined number of hours each day can be 20 hours per day.

Regardless, in FIG. 5 , if the patient 205 is provided with theplurality of minor differently configured removable teeth aligners orthe plurality of major differently configured removable teeth aligners,the patient's 205 progress is monitored 535 by one or both of the firstdental professional and the second dental professional. After theprescribed course of treatment, the patient's 205 mouth and teeth areexamined to determine 540 if the desired correction of the patient's 205malocclusion has been obtained. If the desired correction of thepatient's 205 malocclusion has been obtained, then the patient 205 isprovided with a final removable retainer, which the patient 205 is towear for a predetermined number of weeks or years and for apredetermined number of hours each day. As with the two plurality ofaligners, the predetermined number of weeks or years and thepredetermined number of hours each day are determined and prescribed byeither the first or second dental professional. For example, in someembodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, the predeterminednumber of weeks or years can be from 1 year to the rest of the patient'slifetime and the predetermined number of hours each day can be from 8 to16 hours per day. In a specific embodiment, the predetermined number ofweeks or years can be from for the rest of the patient's lifetime andthe predetermined number of hours each day can be 12 hours per day.After being provided with the retainer, the treatment process stops 599.

In FIG. 5 , if the desired correction of the patient's 205 malocclusionhas not been obtained, then the patient 205 loops back and continuestreatment and monitoring 535 until the desired correction of thepatient's 205 malocclusion has been obtained.

In FIG. 5 , if verified 520, then if the tooth position malocclusion isdetermined 525 to be neither a minor nor a major malocclusion, but morethan a major malocclusion, then the patient 205 can be provided with ahybrid treatment in which the patient 205 is first treated withtraditional braces and wires until the tooth position malocclusion isdetermined 525 to be either a minor or a major malocclusion. Once thetooth position malocclusion is determined 525 to be either a minor or amajor malocclusion after treatment with the braces and wires, then thepatient is treated as described above based on the level of diagnosedmalocclusion.

In FIG. 5 , if the patient 205 is not diagnosed 515 with a correctabletooth position malocclusion or the diagnosis of a correctable toothposition malocclusion is not verified 520, then the patient 205 isrejected for treatment using the patient diagnostic and treatmentprocess 500. The patient is generally referred for traditional bracesand wires treatment, unless that treatment is not advisable for thepatient 205.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of agraphical user interface (GUI) screen 600 for a scan center doctor in avirtual reality orthodontics (VRO) system 110 for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 6 , the GUI for the scan centerdoctor's screen 600 can include a personalized welcome message 605 basedon the individual user's login credentials, which also determines theconfiguration of a scan center doctor's menu section 610, a systemaccess level, and to which patient information the scan center doctorcan access in VRO platform 111. The listed menu options, which in FIG. 6include, for example, but are not limited to, selections to: upload newpatient information (see FIG. 10 for example details); update existingpatient information; review/edit/comment on existing patientinformation; access a central message center through which all permittedother users can be contacted, evaluate aligner design; participate invideo calls; and log out of in VRO platform 111. These options aremerely illustrative of some of the possible options and in no way shouldbe construed as limiting the options that can be implemented for thescan center doctor to use and access VRO platform 111.

In FIG. 6 , also included in the GUI for the scan center doctor's screen600 can be a scan center doctor's data entry work section 620 throughwhich the scan center doctor can upload and access patient informationto which the scan center doctor has the proper access level permissionin VRO platform 111. For example, one or more of the menu options can beopened in the scan center doctor's data entry work section 620 andenable the scan center doctor to interact with and work in VRO platform111. The GUI for the scan center doctor's screen 600 can also include ascan center doctor's image viewing section 630 through which the scancenter doctor can view, evaluate, edit, and create images of patientinformation to which the scan center doctor has the proper access levelpermission in VRO platform 111. For example, the images can include, butare not limited to, a patient's x-rays, past dental records, 3-D imagesand/or molds of the patient's teeth and mouth, 3-D images of sets ofaligners, and digital designs for the sets of aligners. In addition, forthis embodiment, the GUI for the scan center doctor's screen 600 canalso include a scan center doctor's communication section 640 throughwhich the scan center doctor can communicate with the scan centerdoctor's patients as well as the other doctors, and suppliers who areworking with the scan center doctor's individual patients in a singlesecure environment.

Alternatively, in FIG. 6 , some or all of the functionality of theabove-described scan center doctor's GUI sections 610, 620, 630, and 640can be implemented in separate screens or windows as well as in popupwindow screens.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen 700 for a referring doctor from VRO platform for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 7 , the GUI for the referringdoctor's screen 700 can include a personalized welcome message 705 basedon the individual user's login credentials, which also determines theconfiguration of a referring doctor's menu section 710, a system accesslevel, and to which patient information the referring doctor can accessin VRO platform 111. The listed menu options, which in FIG. 7 include,for example, but are not limited to, selections to: upload new patientinformation; update existing patient information; review/edit/comment onexisting patient information; access a central message center throughwhich all permitted other users can be contacted, evaluate alignerdesign; participate in video calls; and log out of in VRO platform 111.These options are merely illustrative of some of the possible optionsand in no way should be construed as limiting the options that can beimplemented for the referring doctor to use and access VRO platform 111.

In FIG. 7 , also included in the GUI for the referring doctor's screen700 can be a referring doctor's data entry work section 720 throughwhich the referring doctor can upload and access patient information towhich the referring doctor has the proper access level permission in VROplatform 111. For example, one or more of the menu options can be openedin the referring doctor's data entry work section 720 and enable thereferring doctor to interact with and work in VRO platform 111. The GUIfor the referring doctor's screen 700 can also include a referringdoctor's image viewing section 730 through which the referring doctorcan view, evaluate, edit, and create images of patient information towhich the referring doctor has the proper access level permission in VROplatform 111. For example, the images can include, but are not limitedto, a patient's x-rays, past dental records, 3-D images molds of thepatient's teeth and mouth, 3-D images of aligners, and digital designsfor the sets of aligners. In addition, for this embodiment, the GUI forthe referring doctor's screen 700 can also include a referring doctor'scommunication section 740 through which the referring doctor cancommunicate with the referring doctor's patients as well as the otherdoctors, and suppliers who are working with the referring doctor'sindividual patients in the single secure environment.

Alternatively, in FIG. 7 , some or all of the functionality of theabove-described referring doctor's GUI sections 710, 720, 730, and 740can be implemented in separate screens or windows as well as in popupwindow screens.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen 800 for a managing VRO doctor from VRO platform for diagnosing,prescribing, providing, and monitoring the use of clear aligners tocorrect tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 8 , the GUI screen 800 for themanaging VRO doctor can include a personalized welcome message 805 basedon the individual managing VRO doctor's login credentials, which alsodetermines the configuration of a managing VRO doctor's menu section810, a system access level, and to which patient information themanaging VRO doctor can access in VRO platform 111. In general, themanaging VRO doctor will have access to most, if not all, of thepatients' information in VRO platform 111. The listed menu options,which in FIG. 8 include, for example, but are not limited to, selectionsto: upload new patient information; update existing patient information;review/edit/comment on existing patient information; access a centralmessage center through which all permitted other users can be contacted,evaluate aligner design; participate in video calls; do patient billing;participate in the patient financing process; make payments toproviders, which can include the referring and scan center doctors aswell as the product providers; make external referrals of patients thatdo not qualify for treatment; perform administrative task on VROplatform 111; and log out of in VRO platform 111. These options aremerely illustrative of some of the possible options and in no way shouldbe construed as limiting the options that can be implemented for themanaging VRO doctor to use and access VRO platform 111.

In FIG. 8 , also included in the GUI for the managing VRO doctor'sscreen 800 can be a managing VRO doctor's data entry work section 820through which the managing VRO doctor can upload and access patientinformation to which the managing VRO doctor has the proper access levelpermission in VRO platform 111. For example, one or more of the menuoptions can be opened in the managing VRO doctor's data entry worksection 820 and enable the managing VRO doctor to interact with and workin VRO platform 111. The GUI for the managing VRO doctor's screen 800can also include a managing VRO doctor's image viewing section 830through which the managing VRO doctor can view, evaluate, edit, andcreate images of patient information to which the managing VRO doctorhas the proper access level permission in VRO platform 111. For example,the images can include, but are not limited to, a patient's x-rays(i.e., FMS and bitewings), past dental records, 3-D images molds of thepatient's teeth and mouth, 3-D images of aligners, and digital designsfor the sets of aligners. Lastly, for this embodiment, the GUI for themanaging VRO doctor's screen 800 can also include a managing VROdoctor's communication section 840 through which the managing VRO doctorcan communicate with the managing VRO doctor's patients as well as theother doctors, and suppliers who are working with the managing VROdoctor's individual patients in the single secure environment.

Alternatively, in FIG. 8 , some or all of the functionality of theabove-described managing VRO doctor's GUI sections 810, 820, 830, and840 can be implemented in separate screens or windows as well as inpopup window screens.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a GUIscreen 900 for a patient from VRO platform for registering, beingdiagnosed, provided and treated with clear aligners, and monitoredduring the treatment with the clear aligners to correct the patient'tooth malocclusions, in accordance with various embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. In FIG. 9 , the GUI screen 900 for the patientcan include a personalized welcome message 905 based on the individualpatient's login credentials, which also determines the configuration ofa patient's menu section 910, a patient system access level, and accessto only the patient's information in VRO platform 111. A patient willonly have access to their own patient information in VRO platform 111.The listed menu options, which in FIG. 9 include, for example, but arenot limited to, selections to: enter new patient medical and personalinformation; update existing patient medical and personal information;evaluate the patient's aligner design; apply for financing; makepayments; access a central message center through which all permittedother users can be contacted, participate in video calls; and log out ofin VRO platform 111. These options are merely illustrative of some ofthe possible options and in no way should be construed as limiting theoptions that can be implemented for the patient to use and access VROplatform 111.

In FIG. 9 , also included in the GUI for the patient's screen 900 can bea patient's data entry work section 920 through which the patient canenter their patient medical and personal information in VRO platform111. For example, one or more of the menu options can be opened in thepatient's data entry work section 920 and enable the patient to interactwith and work in VRO platform 111. The GUI for the patient's screen 900can also include a patient's image viewing section 930 through which thepatient can view and evaluate images of the patient's information in VROplatform 111. For example, the images can include, but are not limitedto, a patient's x-rays, past dental records, 3-D images molds of thepatient's teeth and mouth, 3-D images of aligners, and digital designsfor the sets of aligners. Lastly, for this embodiment, the GUI for thepatient's screen 900 can also include a patient's communication section940 through which the patient can communicate with the patient'sdoctor(s) and VRO concierge 210 the single secure environment.

Alternatively, in FIG. 9 , some or all of the functionality of theabove-described patient's GUI sections 910, 920, 930, and 840 can beimplemented in separate screens or windows as well as in popup windowscreens.

FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram that shows the types of patientinformation 1020 that, for example, but is not limited to what, adoctor, for example, a scan doctor 1010 can upload 1015 into theintegrated patient platform 110, in accordance with various embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter. In FIG. 9 , this patient information1020 can include, but is not limited to: radiographs 1021, which caninclude a radiographic evaluation of periodontal structures and overalldental condition; periodontal charting 1022, which can include clinicalevaluation and recording of periodontium and supporting structures;photographs 1023, which can include intraoral and extraoral photographsin standard clinical format; digital scans or impressions 1024, whichcan include editable and manipulable 3-D images created from digitalscanning or conventional impressions; a bite registration 1025, whichcan include a digital bite registration to verify how the upper andlower teeth relate to each other; and the doctor's clinical evaluationand impression 1026, which can include the doctor's overall clinicalevaluation, recommendation and attestation as to safety to proceed withorthodontic treatment.

FIG. 11A is a flow chart diagram of a patient diagnostic and treatmentmethod 1100, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter. In FIG. 11A, the method 1100, which can include a method1100 for treating a patient suffering from tooth position malocclusion,which can also be referred to as tooth position abnormalities, withremovable teeth aligners, starts 1101 by a) receiving 1103 informationabout the patient tooth position malocclusion condition through agraphical user interface in an integrated patient platform and b)storing 1105, through the integrated patient platform, the informationabout the patient tooth position malocclusion condition in at least onestandardized format in a patient dental record in one or morenetwork-based non-transitory storage devices having a collection ofpatient dental records stored thereon, the information about the patienttooth position malocclusion condition including one or morethree-dimensional (3-D) images of the mouth and teeth of the patient.The at least one standardized formats can vary based on the type of filebeing stored and, in general are neutral, so non-proprietary, and caninclude, for example, but are not limited to: for an audio file the fileformat could be an MP3, a FLAC, a WAV; for a video file the file formatcould be an MP4, a MOV, an AVI, a WebM; for a 3-D CAD file the fileformat could be a STL, a DAE, a IGES, a STEP, a VRML/X3D; for imagefiles the file format could be a JPEG, a PNG, a GIF, a TIFF, a PSD, aPDF, an AI; for text the file format could be a DOC, a RTF, a DOCX; andfor medical record files the format could be a CDA (Clinical DocumentArchitecture), a CCR (Continuity of Care Record), a CCD (Continuity ofCare Document), a CCDA (Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture).The method 1100 continues by c) providing 1107, through the integratedpatient platform, access to a number of users over a network, based onan individual user's assigned access rights; d) enabling 1109 each ofthe number of users, based on the individual user's assigned accessright, to review and update certain information the patient dentalrecord with the information about the patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition in the collection of dental records in real timethrough the graphical user interface; and e) if any of the updatedinformation about the patient tooth position malocclusion condition isprovided in a non-standardized format, then converting 1111, by acontent server, the updated information about the patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition in the non-standardized format into updatedinformation about the patient tooth position malocclusion condition inthe standardized format.

In FIG. 11A, the method 1100 continues by f) storing 1113 the updatedinformation about the patient tooth position malocclusion condition inthe standardized format in the patient dental record in the one or morenetwork-based non-transitory storage devices; g) receiving and storing1115 an initial diagnosis that the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition is correctable from a first dental professional user in thepatient dental record; and h) receiving and storing 1117 a confirmatorydiagnosis that the patient tooth position malocclusion condition iscorrectable from a second dental professional user in the patient dentalrecord. The method 1100 continues by i) receiving and storing 1119, inthe patient dental record, designs for a prescribed set of progressivealigners based on the one or more 3-D images of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient that are configured to progressively correct the patienttooth position malocclusion condition; j) sending 1121 an order messagewith the designs for the prescribed set of progressive aligners based onthe one or more 3-D images of the mouth and teeth of the patient to analigner manufacturer to manufacture the set of progressive aligners; andk) receiving 1123 a completed order message that the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners are complete and have been shipped to an approvingorthodontist for review and approval.

In FIG. 11A, the method 1100 continues by l) receiving 1125 an approvalmessage for the prescribed set of progressive aligners from theapproving orthodontist; m) automatically generating 1127, by the contentserver, a ready message containing updated information about theapproval message for the prescribed set of progressive aligners; and n)transmitting 1129 the ready message containing the updated informationto at least the first dental professional, the patient, and the alignermanufacturer in real time, so that each of the users has immediatenotice of the updated information. The method 1100 continues through offpage connector A onto FIG. 11B.

In FIG. 11B, the method 1100 continues by o) storing 1131, in thepatient dental record, a treatment start date for the patient to startwearing a first aligner of the set of prescribed aligners and aplurality of tentative appointment dates based on the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners; p) storing 1133, in the patient dental record, aplurality of confirmed appointment dates based on the treatment startdate and the set of prescribed aligners; q) enabling 1135 one of theplurality of confirmed appointments between the patient in a firstlocation and a treating doctor in a separate, second location; and r)storing 1137 a record of the one of the plurality of confirmedappointments from the treating doctor in the patient dental record.

In FIG. 11B, the method 1100 continues by s) enabling 1139 a finalappointment from the plurality of confirmed appointments between thepatient in a third location and the treating doctor in a separate,fourth location to confirm the patient is to now start wearing a finalone of the prescribed set of aligners; and t) storing 1141 a record ofthe final appointment from the treating doctor in the patient dentalrecord in the one or more network-based non-transitory storage devices.Although not explicitly shown, the method can store at least onepost-treatment appointment in the patient dental record in the one ormore network-based non-transitory storage devices. The first and thethird locations can either be the same or different, physical locations,which is one of the many benefits of the presently disclosed subjectmatter, because the patient is able to have a virtual appointment withthe treating doctor from anywhere the patient can connect to theInternet and login into the integrated patient platform. Likewise, thesecond and the fourth locations can either be the same or different,physical locations, which is another of the many benefits of thepresently disclosed subject matter, because the treating doctor is ableto have a virtual appointment with the patient from anywhere thetreating doctor can connect to the Internet and login into theintegrated patient platform.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, wherein thepatient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, includesdetermining whether the patient has a correctable tooth positionabnormality by: obtaining or having obtained a mold (for example, butnot limited to, a traditional dental mold) or a 3D image of the mouthand teeth of the patient; and performing or having performed an analysisof the mold or image of the mouth and teeth of the patient by a firstlicensed dental professional (for example, but not limited to, alicensed dentist or a licensed orthodontist) to determine whether thepatient qualifies with a healthy dentition and has a correctable toothposition abnormality. If the first licensed dental professionaldetermines the patient has the healthy dentition and has the correctabletooth position abnormality, verifying or having verified by a secondlicensed dental professional the first licensed dental professional'sdetermination that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality. If the second licensed dental professional verifies thefirst licensed dental professional's determination that the patient hasthe correctable tooth position abnormality, then: if the patientcorrectable tooth position abnormality is determined to be a minorabnormality, providing a plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the mold or image of the mouth andteeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth ofthe patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day; or, ifthe patient correctable tooth position abnormality is determined to be amajor abnormality, then providing a plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the mold of the mouth andteeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth ofthe patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day.

Finally, if it is determined that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality, then upon completion of the administering of eachof either the plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners, or the plurality of major differently configured, removableteeth aligners, providing a final removable teeth aligner based at leastpartially on the mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient and which isto be administered to the teeth of the patient for at least 12 hours perday and lifetime wear.

Alternatively, it may be determined that the patient condition is toocomplex use aligners alone, but may qualify for a hybrid treatmentregime that includes an initial course of treatment using traditionalbraces and wire therapy followed by the use of either the plurality ofminor differently configured, removable teeth aligners or the pluralityof major differently configured, removable teeth aligners.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners and bracesand wire therapy, wherein the patient is suffering from tooth positionabnormalities includes determining whether the patient has a correctabletooth position abnormality by: obtaining or having obtained a digital3-dimensional mold or an image of the mouth and teeth of the patient;and performing or having performed an analysis of the digital3-dimensional mold or the image of the mouth and teeth of the patient bya first licensed dental professional to determine whether the patientqualifies with a healthy dentition and has a correctable tooth positionabnormality; if the first licensed dental professional determines thepatient has the healthy dentition and has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, verifying or having verified by a second licensed dentalprofessional the first licensed dental professional's determination thatthe patient has the healthy dentition and has the correctable toothposition abnormality; if the second licensed dental professionalverifies the first licensed dental professional's determination that thepatient has the healthy dentition and has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then: if the patients correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a minor abnormality, providing a firstplurality of differently configured, removable teeth aligners based onthe digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient,which are each to be administered to the teeth of the patient for one totwo weeks and for at least 20 hours/day; or, if the patient'scorrectable tooth position abnormality is determined to be greater thana major abnormality, then, first, affixing braces and wires to thepatient's teeth for a predetermined prescribed amount of time and thenat the end of the predetermined prescribed amount of time removing thebraces and wires, and, second, following the removal of the braces andwires, providing a second plurality of differently configured, removableteeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth andteeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth ofthe patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day; and ifit is determined that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then upon completion of the administering of each of eitherthe first or the second plurality of differently configured, removableteeth aligners, providing a final removable teeth aligner based on thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, whichis to be administered to the teeth of the patient for at least 12hours/day and lifetime wear.

A method for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, whereinthe patient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, the methodincluding: determining whether the patient has a correctable toothposition abnormality by: obtaining or having obtained a digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient; and performingor having performed an analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient by a first licensed dental professionalto determine whether the patient has a correctable tooth positionabnormality. If the first licensed dental professional determines thepatient has the correctable tooth position abnormality, verifying orhaving verified by a second licensed dental professional the firstlicensed dental professional's determination that the patient has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality. If the second licensed dentalprofessional verifies the first licensed dental professional'sdetermination that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then: if the patient's correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a minor abnormality, providing aplurality of minor differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of the patientfor one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day, and if the patient'scorrectable tooth position abnormality is determined to be a majorabnormality, then providing a plurality of major differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to theteeth of the patient for a predetermined length of time, for example,but not limited to, one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day. Ifit is determined that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then upon completion of the administering of either theplurality of minor differently configured, removable teeth aligners orthe plurality of major differently configured, removable teeth aligners,providing a final removable teeth aligner based at least partially onthe digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient,which is to be administered to the teeth of the patient for apredetermined length of time, for example, but not limited to, at least12 hours/day and lifetime wear.

In various embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, wherein thepatient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, the methodincluding: a) receiving information about a patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition through a graphical user interface in anintegrated patient platform; b) storing, through the integrated patientplatform, the information about the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition in at least one standardized format in a patient dental recordin one or more network-based non-transitory storage devices having acollection of patient dental records stored thereon, the informationabout the patient tooth position malocclusion condition including one ormore three-dimensional (3-D) images of the mouth and teeth of thepatient; c) providing, through the integrated patient platform, accessto a plurality of users over a network. based on an individual user'sassigned access rights; d) enabling each of the plurality of users,based on the individual user's assigned access right, to review andupdate the patient dental record with the information about the patienttooth position malocclusion condition in the collection of dentalrecords in real time through the graphical user interface; e) if any ofthe updated information about the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition is provided in a non-standardized format, then converting, bya content server, the updated information about the patient toothposition malocclusion condition in the non-standardized format intoupdated information about the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition in the standardized format; f) storing the updated informationabout the patient tooth position malocclusion condition in thestandardized format in the patient dental record in the one or morenetwork-based non-transitory storage devices; g) receiving and storingan initial diagnosis that the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition is correctable from a first dental professional user in thepatient dental record; h) receiving and storing a confirmatory diagnosisthat the patient tooth position malocclusion condition is correctablefrom a second dental professional user in the patient dental record; i)receiving and storing, in the patient dental record, designs for aprescribed set of progressive aligners based on the one or more 3-Dimages of the mouth and teeth of the patient that are configured toprogressively correct the patient tooth position malocclusion condition;j) sending an order message with the designs for the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners based on the one or more 3-D images of the mouthand teeth of the patient to an aligner manufacturer to manufacture theset of progressive aligners; k) receiving a completed order message thatthe prescribed set of progressive aligners are complete and have beenshipped to an approving orthodontist for review and approval; l)receiving an approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners from the approving orthodontist; m) automatically generating,by the content server, a ready message containing updated informationabout the approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners; n) transmitting the ready message containing the updatedinformation to at least the first dental professional, the patient, andthe aligner manufacturer in real time, so that each of the users hasimmediate notice of the updated information; o) storing, in the patientdental record, a treatment start date for the patient to start wearing afirst aligner of the set of prescribed aligners and a plurality oftentative appointment dates based on the prescribed set of progressivealigners; p) storing, in the patient dental record, a plurality ofconfirmed appointment dates based on the treatment start date and theset of prescribed aligners; q) enabling one of the plurality ofconfirmed appointments between the patient in a first location and atreating doctor in a separate, second location; r) storing a record ofthe one of the plurality of confirmed appointments from the treatingdoctor in the patient dental record; s) enabling a final appointmentfrom the plurality of confirmed appointments between the patient in athird location and the treating doctor in a separate, fourth location toconfirm the patient is to now start wearing a final one of theprescribed set of aligners; and t) storing a record of the finalappointment from the treating doctor in the patient dental record in theone or more network-based non-transitory storage devices.

A method for diagnosing, providing aligners for, and treating patienttooth malocclusions including: providing an integrated treatmentplatform configured to be used by patients, dental professionals, dentalservice providers, and dental device manufacturers for diagnosing,providing aligners for, and treating patient tooth malocclusions; andusing the integrated treatment platform to directly onboard patientsthrough direct marketing efforts, enable dental professionals and dentalservice providers to enter their patients into the integrated treatmentplatform to be diagnosed with, provided aligners for, and treated forpatient tooth malocclusions. The method further including determiningthrough the integrated treatment platform whether a patient has acorrectable tooth position abnormality by: obtaining or having obtainedthrough the integrated treatment platform a digital 3-dimensional moldof the mouth and teeth of the patient; and performing or havingperformed through the integrated treatment platform an analysis of thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient by afirst licensed dental professional to determine whether the patient hasa correctable tooth position abnormality. The method further includingif the first licensed dental professional determines the patient has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality, verifying or having verified bya second licensed dental professional through the integrated treatmentplatform the first licensed dental professional's determination that thepatient has the correctable tooth position abnormality; and if thesecond licensed dental professional verifies the first licensed dentalprofessional's determination that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality, then: if the patient correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a minor abnormality, then: creatingthrough the integrated treatment platform a 3-dimensional design for aplurality of a plurality of minor differently configured, removableteeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth andteeth of the patient; and providing through the integrated treatmentplatform the plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of thepatient for a first predetermined number of days and for a firstpredetermined number of hours per day. Alternatively, if the patientcorrectable tooth position abnormality is determined to be a majorabnormality, then: creating through the integrated treatment platform a3-dimensional design for a plurality of major differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient; sending through the integrated treatmentplatform the 3-dimensional design for the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners to an aligner manufacturer, so thealigner manufacturer can manufacture on the aligner manufacturer'sequipment the plurality of major differently configured, removable teethaligners based on the 3-dimensional design; sending through theintegrated treatment platform a notice that a physical set of theplurality of major differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the 3-dimensional design are complete and are being sent to athird licensed dental professional for a quality review and approval;approving through the integrated treatment platform by the thirdlicensed dental professional of the physical set of the plurality ofmajor differently configured, removable teeth aligners; and providingthrough the integrated treatment platform the plurality of majordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which are eachto be administered to the teeth of the patient for a secondpredetermined number of days and for a second predetermined number ofhours per day. The method further including: if it is determined thatthe patient has the correctable tooth position abnormality, then uponcompletion of the administering of either the plurality of minordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners or the plurality ofmajor differently configured, removable teeth aligners, providingthrough the integrated treatment platform a final removable teethaligner based at least partially on the digital 3-dimensional mold ofthe mouth and teeth of the patient, which is to be administered to theteeth of the patient for a third predetermined number of hours/day andlifetime wear.

A method for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners, whereinthe patient is suffering from tooth position abnormalities, the methodincluding: determining whether the patient has a correctable toothposition abnormality by: obtaining or having obtained a digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient; and performingor having performed an analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient by a first licensed dental professionalto determine whether the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality. If the first licensed dental professional determines thepatient has the correctable tooth position abnormality, verifying orhaving verified, by a second licensed dental professional, the firstlicensed dental professional's determination that the patient has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality; and if the second licenseddental professional verifies the first licensed dental professional'sdetermination that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then: if the patient correctable tooth position abnormalityis determined to be a minor correctable tooth position abnormality,providing a plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of thepatient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day, and if thepatient correctable tooth position abnormality is determined to be amajor correctable tooth position abnormality, then providing a pluralityof major differently configured, removable teeth aligners based on thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, whichare each to be administered to the teeth of the patient for one to twoweeks and for at least 20 hours/day; and if it is determined that thepatient has the correctable tooth position abnormality, then uponcompletion of the administering of either the plurality of minordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners or the plurality ofmajor differently configured, removable teeth aligners, providing afinal removable teeth aligner based at least partially on the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which is to beadministered to the teeth of the patient for at least 12 hours/day andlifetime wear.

A method for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners and bracesand wire therapy, wherein the patient is diagnosed as suffering fromtooth position abnormalities, the method including: determining whetherthe patient has a correctable tooth position abnormality by: obtainingor having obtained a digital 3-dimensional mold or an image of the mouthand teeth of the patient; and performing or having performed an analysisof the digital 3-dimensional mold or the image of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient by a first licensed dental professional to determine whetherthe patient qualifies with a healthy dentition and has the correctabletooth position abnormality. The method also includes: if the firstlicensed dental professional determines the patient has the healthydentition and has the correctable tooth position abnormality, verifyingor having verified, by a second licensed dental professional, the firstlicensed dental professional's determination that the patient has thehealthy dentition and has the correctable tooth position abnormality; ifthe second licensed dental professional verifies the first licenseddental professional's determination that the patient has the healthydentition and has the correctable tooth position abnormality, then: ifthe patient correctable tooth position abnormality is determined to be aminor abnormality, providing a first prescribed plurality of differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to beadministered to the teeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for atleast 20 hours/day; or, if the patient correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a major correctable tooth positionabnormality, providing a second prescribed plurality of differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to beadministered to the teeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for atleast 20 hours/day; or, if the patient correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be greater than the major abnormality,then, first, affixing braces and wires to the patient's teeth for apredetermined prescribed amount of time and then at an end of thepredetermined prescribed amount of time removing the braces and wires,and, second, following the removal of the braces and wires, providing athird prescribed plurality of differently configured, removable teethaligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of thepatient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day; and if it isdetermined that the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, then upon completion of the administering of each of eitherthe first prescribed plurality of differently configured, removableteeth aligners, the second prescribed plurality of differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners, or the third prescribed pluralityof differently configured, removable teeth aligners, providing a finalremovable teeth aligner based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which is to be administered to the teethof the patient for at least 12 hours/day and lifetime wear.

A method for treating a patient suffering from tooth positionabnormalities, the method including: a) receiving information about apatient tooth position malocclusion condition through a graphical userinterface in an integrated patient platform; b) storing, through theintegrated patient platform, the information at least one standardizedformat about the patient tooth position malocclusion condition in atleast one standardized format in a patient dental record in one or morenetwork-based non-transitory storage devices having a collection ofpatient dental records stored thereon, the information about the patienttooth position malocclusion condition including one or morethree-dimensional (3-D) images of the mouth and teeth of the patient; c)providing, through the integrated patient platform, access to aplurality of users over a network, based on an individual user'sassigned access rights; d) enabling each of the plurality of users,based on each of the individual user's assigned access rights, to reviewand update the patient dental record with updated information about thepatient tooth position malocclusion condition in the collection ofdental records in real time through the graphical user interface; e) ifany of the updated information about the patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition is provided in a non-standardized format, thenconverting, by a content server, the updated information about thepatient tooth position malocclusion condition in the non-standardizedformat into updated information about the patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition in the standardized format; f) storing theupdated information about the patient tooth position malocclusioncondition in the standardized format patient tooth position malocclusionin the patient dental record in the one or more network-basednon-transitory storage devices; g) receiving and storing an initialdiagnosis that the patient tooth position malocclusion condition iscorrectable from a first dental professional user in the patient dentalrecord; h) receiving and storing a confirmatory diagnosis that thepatient tooth position malocclusion condition is correctable from asecond dental professional user in the patient dental record; i)receiving and storing, in the patient dental record, designs for aprescribed set of progressive aligners based on the one or more 3-Dimages of the mouth and teeth of the patient that are configured toprogressively correct the patient tooth position malocclusion condition;j) sending an order message with the designs for the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners based on the one or more 3-D images of the mouthand teeth of the patient to an aligner manufacturer to manufacture theset of progressive aligners; k) receiving a completed order message thatthe prescribed set of progressive aligners are complete and have beenshipped to an approving orthodontist for review and approval; l)receiving an approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners from the approving orthodontist; m) automatically generating,by the content server, a ready message containing updated informationabout the approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners; n) transmitting the ready message containing the updatedinformation about the approval message for the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners to at least the first dental professional, thepatient, and the aligner manufacturer in real time, so that each of theusers has immediate notice of the updated information; o) storing, inthe patient dental record, a treatment start date for the patient tostart wearing a first aligner of the set of prescribed aligners and aplurality of tentative appointment dates based on the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners; p) storing, in the patient dental record, aplurality of confirmed appointment dates based on the treatment startdate and the set of prescribed aligners; q) enabling one of theplurality of confirmed appointments between the patient in a firstlocation and a treating doctor in a separate, second location; r)storing a record of the one of the plurality of confirmed appointmentsfrom the treating doctor in the patient dental record; s) enabling afinal appointment from the plurality of confirmed appointments betweenthe patient in a third location and the treating doctor in a separate,fourth location to confirm the patient is to now start wearing a finalone of the prescribed set of aligners; and t) storing a record of thefinal appointment from the treating doctor in the patient dental recordin the one or more network-based non-transitory storage devices.

A system for use in treating tooth position malocclusion abnormalities,the system including: an integrated patient platform including a firstprocessor, a memory connected to a first processor, a set of executableinstructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the firstprocessor generate a graphical user interface configured to enable andcontrol user access to the integrated patient platform; and a practicemanagement system platform connected to the integrated patient platform,the practice management system platform including a second processorconnected to the memory, the set of executable instructions, whenexecuted by the first processor or the second processor, configure theintegrated patient platform to: a) receive information about a patienttooth position malocclusion condition; b) store information about thepatient tooth position malocclusion condition, through the graphicaluser interface, in at least one standardized format in a patient dentalrecord in one or more network-based non-transitory storage deviceshaving a collection of patient dental records stored thereon, theinformation including one or more three-dimensional (3-D) images of themouth and teeth of the patient; c) provide, through the graphical userinterface, access to a plurality of users over a communication networkso, based on an individual user's assigned access rights, each of theplurality of users can review and update the patient dental record withthe information about the patient tooth position malocclusion conditionin the collection of dental records in real time; d) enable each of theplurality of users, based on each of the individual user's assignedaccess rights, to review and update the patient dental record with theinformation about the patient tooth position malocclusion condition inthe collection of dental records in real time through the graphical userinterface; if any of the updated information is provided in anon-standardized format, then convert, by the first processor, theupdated information in the non-standardized format into updatedinformation in the standardized format; e) store, in the patient dentalrecord in the memory, the updated information in the standardizedformat; f) store, in the patient dental record, an initial diagnosisthat the patient tooth position malocclusion condition is correctablefrom a first dental professional user; g) store, in the patient dentalrecord, a confirmatory diagnosis that the patient tooth positionmalocclusion condition is correctable from a second dental professionaluser; h) store, in the patient dental record, designs for a prescribedset of progressive aligners based on the one or more 3-D images of themouth and teeth of the patient that are configured to progressivelycorrect the patient tooth position malocclusion condition; i) send, fromthe first processor, an order message with the designs for theprescribed set of progressive aligners based on the one or more 3-Dimages of the mouth and teeth of the patient to an aligner manufacturerto manufacture the set of progressive aligners; j) receive, by the firstprocessor, a completed order message that the prescribed set ofprogressive aligners are complete and have been shipped to an approvingorthodontist for review and approval; k) receive, by the firstprocessor, an approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners from the approving orthodontist; l) automatically generate, bythe first processor, a ready message containing the updated informationabout the approval message for the prescribed set of progressivealigners by the content server; m) transmit, from the first processor,the ready message containing the updated information to at least thefirst dental professional, the patient, and the aligner manufacturer inreal time, so that each of the users has immediate notice of the updatedinformation; n) store, in the patient dental record, a treatment startdate for the patient to start wearing a first aligner of the set ofprescribed aligners and a plurality of tentative appointment dates basedon the prescribed set of progressive aligners; o) store, in the patientdental record, a plurality of confirmed appointment dates based on thetreatment start date and the set of prescribed aligners; p) enable,through a communication system connected to the first processor, one ofthe plurality of confirmed appointments between the patient and atreating doctor, where the patient and the treating doctor are inseparate locations; q) store, in the patient dental record, a record ofthe one of the plurality of confirmed appointments from the treatingdoctor; r) enable, through the communication system connected to thefirst processor, a final appointment from the plurality of confirmedappointments between the patient and the treating doctor from separatelocations to confirm the patient is to start wearing a final one of theprescribed set of aligners; and s) store, in the patient dental record,a record of the final appointment from the treating doctor.

A method for diagnosing, providing aligners for, and treating toothposition malocclusions including: providing an integrated treatmentplatform configured to be used by at least one patient, at least onedental professional, at least one dental service provider, and at leastone dental device manufacturer for diagnosing, providing aligners for,and treating the at least one patient with tooth position malocclusions;using the integrated treatment platform to directly onboard the at leastone patient through direct marketing efforts, enable the at least onedental professional and the at least one dental service provider toenter the at least one patient with tooth position malocclusions intothe integrated treatment platform to be diagnosed with, providedaligners for, and treated for the tooth position malocclusions;determining through the integrated treatment platform whether the atleast one patient has correctable tooth position malocclusions by:obtaining or having obtained through the integrated treatment platform adigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the at least onepatient; and performing or having performed through the integratedtreatment platform an analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the at least one patient by a first licensed dentalprofessional to determine whether the at least one patient has thecorrectable tooth position malocclusions; if the first licensed dentalprofessional determines the at least one patient has the correctabletooth position malocclusions, verifying or having verified by a secondlicensed dental professional through the integrated treatment platformthe first licensed dental professional determination that the at leastone patient has the correctable tooth position malocclusions; and if thesecond licensed dental professional verifies the first licensed dentalprofessional determination that the at least one patient has thecorrectable tooth position malocclusions, then: if the at least onepatient correctable tooth position malocclusions is determined to be aminor correctable tooth position malocclusions, then: creating throughthe integrated treatment platform a 3-dimensional design for a pluralityof minor differently configured, removable teeth aligners based on thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the at least onepatient; and providing through the integrated treatment platform theplurality of minor differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the atleast one patient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of theat least one patient for a first predetermined number of days and for afirst predetermined number of hours per day, and if the at least onepatient correctable tooth position abnormality is determined to be amajor correctable tooth position abnormality, then: creating through theintegrated treatment platform a 3-dimensional design for a plurality ofmajor differently configured, removable teeth aligners based on thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the at least onepatient; sending through the integrated treatment platform the3-dimensional design for the plurality of major differently configured,removable teeth aligners to an aligner manufacturer, so the alignermanufacturer can manufacture the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the 3-dimensional design;sending through the integrated treatment platform a notice that aphysical set of the plurality of major differently configured, removableteeth aligners based on the 3-dimensional design are complete and arebeing sent to a third licensed dental professional for a quality reviewand approval; approving through the integrated treatment platform by thethird licensed dental professional of the physical set of the pluralityof major differently configured, removable teeth aligners; and providingthrough the integrated treatment platform the plurality of majordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the at least one patient,which are each to be administered to the teeth of the at least onepatient for a second predetermined number of days and for a secondpredetermined number of hours per day; and if it is determined that theat least one patient has the correctable tooth position abnormality,then upon completion of the administering of either the plurality ofminor differently configured, removable teeth aligners or the pluralityof major differently configured, removable teeth aligners, providingthrough the integrated treatment platform a final removable teethaligner based at least partially on the digital 3-dimensional mold ofthe mouth and teeth of the at least one patient, which is to beadministered to the teeth of the at least one patient for a thirdpredetermined number of hours/day and lifetime wear.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in conjunctionwith a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, the applicantintends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents,and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosedsubject matter described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a patient with removableteeth aligners, wherein the patient is suffering from tooth positionabnormalities, the method comprising the steps of: determining whetherthe patient has a correctable tooth position abnormality by: obtainingor having obtained a digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the patient; and performing or having performed an analysis of thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient by afirst licensed dental professional to determine whether the patient hasthe correctable tooth position abnormality; if the first licensed dentalprofessional determines the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality, verifying or having verified, by a second licensed dentalprofessional, the first licensed dental professional's determinationthat the patient has the correctable tooth position abnormality; and ifthe second licensed dental professional verifies the first licenseddental professional's determination that the patient has the correctabletooth position abnormality, then: if the patient correctable toothposition abnormality is determined to be a minor correctable toothposition abnormality, providing a plurality of minor differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to beadministered to the teeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for atleast 20 hours/day, and if the patient correctable tooth positionabnormality is determined to be a major correctable tooth positionabnormality, then providing a plurality of major differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to theteeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day;and if it is determined that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality, then upon completion of the administering ofeither the plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners or the plurality of major differently configured, removableteeth aligners, providing a final removable teeth aligner based at leastpartially on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient, which is to be administered to the teeth of the patient forat least 12 hours/day and lifetime wear.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the obtaining or having obtained the digital 3-dimensional moldof the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises: obtaining or havingobtained a physical negative impression of the mouth and teeth of thepatient using a dental impression material; and digitally scanning thephysical negative impression of the mouth and teeth of the patient tocreate an indirect, digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the obtaining or havingobtained the physical negative impression of the mouth and teeth of thepatient using the dental impression material comprises one of: obtainingthe physical negative impression of the mouth and teeth of the patientby a dentist; obtaining the physical negative impression of the mouthand teeth of the patient by the patient making the physical negativeimpression of the mouth and teeth of the patient; and obtaining thephysical negative impression of the mouth and teeth of the patient at adental scan center.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining orhaving obtained the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient comprises: obtaining or having obtained an intraoral3-dimensional digital scan of the mouth and teeth of the patient, whichis then used to create a direct, digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouthand teeth of the patient.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theperforming or having performed the analysis of the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient by the first licensed dentalprofessional to determine whether the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality further comprises: performing or having performedthe analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient by the first licensed dental professional to determinewhether the patient has a minor correctable tooth position abnormality,a major correctable tooth position abnormality, or an uncorrectabletooth position abnormality.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theverifying or having verified, by the second licensed dentalprofessional, the first licensed dental professional's determinationthat the patient has the correctable tooth position abnormalitycomprises: verifying or having verified, by the second licensed dentalprofessional, the first licensed dental professional's determinationwhether the patient has the minor correctable tooth positionabnormality, the major correctable tooth position abnormality, or theuncorrectable tooth position abnormality.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the providing the plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient comprises: providing the plurality ofminor differently configured, removable teeth aligners to incrementallycorrect the minor correctable tooth position abnormality with thepatient wearing each of the plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners in a predetermined order.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the providing the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises: providing theplurality of major differently configured, removable teeth aligners into incrementally correct the major correctable tooth positionabnormality with the patient wearing each of the plurality of majordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners a predetermined order.9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the final removableteeth aligner based at least partially on the digital 3-dimensional moldof the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises: providing a finalretainer configured to maintain a final tooth position achieved by thepatient wearing either the plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners or the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinif the first licensed dental professional determines the patient has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality, and before the verifying orhaving verified, by the second licensed dental professional, the methodfurther comprising: designing, by the first licensed dentalprofessional, a plurality of differently configured, removable teethaligners and a prescribed treatment plan for the patient.
 11. The methodof claim 10, wherein the verifying or having verified, by the secondlicensed dental professional, the method further comprising: verifying,by the second licensed dental professional, the designed plurality ofdifferently configured, removable teeth aligners and the prescribedtreatment plan for the patient.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theverifying or having verified, by the second licensed dentalprofessional, the method further comprises: verifying, by the secondlicensed dental professional, the designed plurality of differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners and the prescribed treatment planfor the patient.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the providing theplurality of either the minor or the major differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient further comprises: receiving approvalfrom a State evaluator for the designed plurality of either the minor orthe major differently configured, removable teeth aligners and theprescribed treatment plan for the patient; receiving approval from athird dental professional of the actual, manufactured plurality ofeither the minor or the major differently configured, removable teethaligners; and providing the plurality of either the minor or the majordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners to the patient.
 14. Amethod for treating a patient with removable teeth aligners and bracesand wire therapy, wherein the patient is diagnosed as suffering fromtooth position abnormalities, the method comprising: determining whetherthe patient has a correctable tooth position abnormality by: obtainingor having obtained a digital 3-dimensional mold or an image of the mouthand teeth of the patient; and performing or having performed an analysisof the digital 3-dimensional mold or the image of the mouth and teeth ofthe patient by a first licensed dental professional to determine whetherthe patient qualifies with a healthy dentition and has the correctabletooth position abnormality; if the first licensed dental professionaldetermines the patient has the healthy dentition and has the correctabletooth position abnormality, verifying or having verified, by a secondlicensed dental professional, the first licensed dental professional'sdetermination that the patient has the healthy dentition and has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality; if the second licensed dentalprofessional verifies the first licensed dental professional'sdetermination that the patient has the healthy dentition and has thecorrectable tooth position abnormality, then: if the patient correctabletooth position abnormality is determined to be a minor abnormality,providing a first prescribed plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to theteeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day;or, if the patient correctable tooth position abnormality is determinedto be a major correctable tooth position abnormality, providing a secondprescribed plurality of differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient, which are each to be administered to the teeth of the patientfor one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day; or, if the patientcorrectable tooth position abnormality is determined to be greater thanthe major abnormality, then, first, affixing braces and wires to thepatient's teeth for a predetermined prescribed amount of time and thenat an end of the predetermined prescribed amount of time removing thebraces and wires, and, second, following the removal of the braces andwires, providing a third prescribed plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which are each to be administered to theteeth of the patient for one to two weeks and for at least 20 hours/day;and if it is determined that the patient has the correctable toothposition abnormality, then upon completion of the administering of eachof either the first prescribed plurality of differently configured,removable teeth aligners, the second prescribed plurality of differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners, or the third prescribed pluralityof differently configured, removable teeth aligners, providing a finalremovable teeth aligner based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the patient, which is to be administered to the teethof the patient for at least 12 hours/day and lifetime wear.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the obtaining or having obtained the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises:obtaining or having obtained a physical negative impression of the mouthand teeth of the patient using a dental impression material; anddigitally scanning the physical negative impression of the mouth andteeth of the patient to create an indirect, digital 3-dimensional moldof the mouth and teeth of the patient.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein the obtaining or having obtained the physical negativeimpression of the mouth and teeth of the patient using the dentalimpression material comprises one of: obtaining the physical negativeimpression of the mouth and teeth of the patient by a dentist; thepatient making the physical negative impression of the mouth and teethof the patient; and obtaining the physical negative impression of themouth and teeth of the patient at a dental scan center.
 17. The methodof claim 14, wherein the obtaining or having obtained the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises:obtaining or having obtained an intraoral 3-dimensional digital scan ofthe mouth and teeth of the patient, which is then used to create adirect, digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the performing or havingperformed the analysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouthand teeth of the patient by the first licensed dental professional todetermine whether the patient has the correctable tooth positionabnormality further comprises: performing or having performed theanalysis of the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of thepatient by the first licensed dental professional to determine whetherthe patient has a minor correctable tooth position abnormality, a majorcorrectable tooth position abnormality, a greater than major correctabletooth position abnormality, or an uncorrectable tooth positionabnormality.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the verifying or havingverified, by the second licensed dental professional, the first licenseddental professional's determination that the patient has the correctabletooth position abnormality comprises: verifying or having verified, bythe second licensed dental professional, the first licensed dentalprofessional's determination whether the patient has the minorcorrectable tooth position abnormality, the major correctable toothposition abnormality, the greater than major correctable tooth positionabnormality, or the uncorrectable tooth position abnormality.
 20. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the providing the plurality of minordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patient comprises:providing the plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners to incrementally correct the patient minor correctable toothposition abnormality with the patient wearing of each of the pluralityof minor differently configured, removable teeth aligners in apredetermined order.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the providingthe final removable teeth aligner based at least partially on thedigital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the patientcomprises: providing a final retainer configured to maintain a finaltooth position achieved by the patient wearing the plurality of minordifferently configured, removable teeth aligners in the predeterminedorder.
 22. A method for diagnosing, providing aligners for, and treatingtooth position malocclusions comprising: providing an integratedtreatment platform configured to be used by at least one patient, atleast one dental professional, at least one dental service provider, andat least one dental device manufacturer for diagnosing, providingaligners for, and treating the at least one patient with tooth positionmalocclusions; using the integrated treatment platform to directlyonboard the at least one patient through direct marketing efforts,enable the at least one dental professional and the at least one dentalservice provider to enter the at least one patient with tooth positionmalocclusions into the integrated treatment platform to be diagnosedwith, provided aligners for, and treated for the tooth positionmalocclusions; determining through the integrated treatment platformwhether the at least one patient has correctable tooth positionmalocclusions by: obtaining or having obtained through the integratedtreatment platform a digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the at least one patient; and performing or having performed throughthe integrated treatment platform an analysis of the digital3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth of the at least one patient bya first licensed dental professional to determine whether the at leastone patient has the correctable tooth position malocclusions; if thefirst licensed dental professional determines the at least one patienthas the correctable tooth position malocclusions, verifying or havingverified by a second licensed dental professional through the integratedtreatment platform the first licensed dental professional determinationthat the at least one patient has the correctable tooth positionmalocclusions; and if the second licensed dental professional verifiesthe first licensed dental professional determination that the at leastone patient has the correctable tooth position malocclusions, then: ifthe at least one patient correctable tooth position malocclusions isdetermined to be a minor correctable tooth position malocclusions, then:creating through the integrated treatment platform a 3-dimensionaldesign for a plurality of minor differently configured, removable teethaligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teethof the at least one patient; and providing through the integratedtreatment platform the plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensional mold of themouth and teeth of the at least one patient, which are each to beadministered to the teeth of the at least one patient for a firstpredetermined number of days and for a first predetermined number ofhours per day, and if the at least one patient correctable toothposition abnormality is determined to be a major correctable toothposition abnormality, then: creating through the integrated treatmentplatform a 3-dimensional design for a plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the at least one patient; sending throughthe integrated treatment platform the 3-dimensional design for theplurality of major differently configured, removable teeth aligners toan aligner manufacturer, so the aligner manufacturer can manufacture theplurality of major differently configured, removable teeth alignersbased on the 3-dimensional design; sending through the integratedtreatment platform a notice that a physical set of the plurality ofmajor differently configured, removable teeth aligners based on the3-dimensional design are complete and are being sent to a third licenseddental professional for a quality review and approval; approving throughthe integrated treatment platform by the third licensed dentalprofessional of the physical set of the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners; and providing through theintegrated treatment platform the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners based on the digital 3-dimensionalmold of the mouth and teeth of the at least one patient, which are eachto be administered to the teeth of the at least one patient for a secondpredetermined number of days and for a second predetermined number ofhours per day; and if it is determined that the at least one patient hasthe correctable tooth position abnormality, then upon completion of theadministering of either the plurality of minor differently configured,removable teeth aligners or the plurality of major differentlyconfigured, removable teeth aligners, providing through the integratedtreatment platform a final removable teeth aligner based at leastpartially on the digital 3-dimensional mold of the mouth and teeth ofthe at least one patient, which is to be administered to the teeth ofthe at least one patient for a third predetermined number of hours/dayand lifetime wear.